IMMERSIVE MEDIA LAB
VISION
We’re Changing the Way Stories Are Experienced.
The Immersive Media Lab is a research and creative lab based in the Journalism program within the School of Communication and Information at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The lab explores how immersive and interactive media technologies, such as VR, AR, and 360-degree video, can transform storytelling, research, and public engagement.
Founded and directed by Dr. Youjeong Kim, the lab is driven by a passion for rethinking how stories are told and experienced in the digital age. While rooted in journalism, the Immersive Media Lab is intentionally interdisciplinary, bringing together students and researchers from the CIS PhD program, Computer Science, and other fields to create and study immersive, human-centered stories.
Meet The Team
Lab Director
Youjeong Kim, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Journalism
School of Communication and Information
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Dr. Youjeong Kim’s primary focus is on the effects of immersive new media, such as virtual environments and video games. These technologies have significantly impacted communication dynamics and lifestyles. Dr. Kim’s research aims to provide theoretical insights into new media technologies, including interactivity and presence, to understand user behavior and enhance quality of life in health, education, and marketing. She also develops new media intervention programs for groups in need, such as older adults, obese children, and autistic children, to improve their well-being through innovative applications of interactive technologies.
VR Tech Lead
Silvia De Benedicts
MS Student in Computer Science
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Silvia is a Computer Science graduate student focused on building immersive digital experiences across web, mobile, and virtual reality. Blending creativity with technology, she designs interactive apps, games, and tools that transform learning, storytelling, and data exploration into engaging, hands-on experiences. Her work aims to help people explore, understand, and connect with the world in new and meaningful ways.
Lab Member
Suah Cho
PhD Student in Communication & Information Sciences
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Dr. Youjeong Kim’s primary focus is on the effects of immersive new media, such as virtual environments and video games. These technologies have significantly impacted communication dynamics and lifestyles. Dr. Kim’s research aims to provide theoretical insights into new media technologies, including interactivity and presence, to understand user behavior and enhance quality of life in health, education, and marketing. She also develops new media intervention programs for groups in need, such as older adults, obese children, and autistic children, to improve their well-being through innovative applications of interactive technologies.
Facilities and Equipment
Facilities and technologies that enable immersive media research, experimentation, and production.
LAB SPACE
Our lab is located at the Saunders 716 (2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96822)
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Flexible, multi-purpose lab space
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Dedicated area for XR demos and immersive media experiences
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Production and editing workspace
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Small-group collaboration and discussion area
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Modular furniture layout for workshops, classes, and research activities
Projects
Exploring New Ways to Experience Stories.
This page showcases ongoing and completed projects from the Immersive Media Lab, exploring how immersive and interactive media, such as virtual reality and emerging technologies, can be used for journalism, research, education, and public engagement. Our projects emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, community-centered storytelling, and innovative approaches to experiencing information.
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VR Escape Room Project
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Rainbow VR Project
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VR Reporting for Journalism Students
VR Escape Room Project
"Escaping from Misinformation"
The VR Escape Room project adapts Loki’s Loop, an existing escape room game, into an immersive virtual reality experience. Through game-based learning and puzzle-solving, the project helps participants develop critical thinking skills to recognize and combat misinformation in an engaging VR environment.
Rainbow VR
"Meet Korean Immigrants in Hawaiʻi in VR"
This Rainbow VR Project is an immersive virtual reality project that brings the stories of Hawaiʻi-based Korean immigrants to life. Through community-centered storytelling and VR technology, the project invites audiences to experience immigrant narratives with a heightened sense of presence and empathy. The project will be exhibited publicly from March to July 2027 at an XR gallery with support from the Korea Foundation.
VR Reporting for Journalism Students
Journalism requires strong reporting and interviewing skills, yet opportunities to practice these skills and receive meaningful feedback are often limited. This project explores how virtual reality (VR) environments can be used to simulate realistic reporting and interview situations, allowing students to practice in immersive settings and receive guided feedback. By recreating diverse journalistic scenarios, the project aims to enhance experiential learning, confidence, and skill development in journalism education.
